Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 191, 9 December 1874, Page 2

Nelson College — The annual sports wilt take place in the College grounds to-morrow afternoon, and the distribution of prizes on the following day. Concert. — The concert in Bid of the fund for providing an harmonium for St. Peter's Church, Wakapuaka, will bo held at the Provincial Hall this evening. Transit op Venus.— Up to one o'clock to-day all hopes of observing this phenomenon were given op, but about that time the clouds commenced to break and ihe suu became visible at intervals, and up to 2*45 an almost uninterrupted view of the transit was obtained, those wbo were on the lookout being able to observe the firgt internal contact. Venus, through an ordinary telescope, appeared as a perfectly round spot about the size of a pea, clearly and sharply defined on the face of the sun. From the weatherreport published elsewhere, we fcsar that it is doubtful whether the transit has been visible from the stations in other parts of the colony. Local Industry — Mr Moolray has just completed an order for the Taranaki Smelting Company, consisting of an iron frame of a roof 46 feet in length by 30 feet wide. It is an exceed logly neat, and at the same time strong, piece of workmanship, and it is satisfactory to find that articles of this kind can be supplied more cheaply in Nelson than in the other provinces, Mr Moutray's tender having been the lowest, although he was competing against both Auckland and Wellington. Later English News.— The following London telegram, dated Nov. 24, wag brought to Port Chalmers hy the steamer Easby on Saturday, but was not forwarded to us s — The rate of discount has advanced to six per cent. -r-Mails from Australia were delivered this morning — The Rev. H. Thornton, of Birmingham, has been appointed Bishop of Ballaros. — Tom Hood is dead. Independent Order of Good Templars. — A juvenile lodge of the above Order was last evening instituted at Mr Campbell's school-room, Bridgestreet. There was a very pood attendance both of adults and children. Addresses were delivered by Brothers Bond (President;, Webley and Jones (Superintendents), Betts, Entwiaie, Rankin, and Miller, after which 22 gave in their nimes to join the new lodge. "* The initiation ceremony was then proceeded with, and the lodge instituted . The following officers were elected and installed: — C.T., W. Seymour ; V.T., A. Armstrong ; P.C.T., A. Thompson; C, A. Dolamore; M., A. Shone; S., J. Reynolds; F.S, H. Edwards; T.,J. M'Artney; 1.G., S. Sherwood; 0.G., J. Rankin; D.M., A. Lucas. The lodge meets again on Tuesday evening next, at seven o'clock. Some time ago we intimated in our columns that before the new Lunatic Asylum was opened to receive its future occupants, some attempt would be made to establish a fund for the purpose of providing amusement for them, as a very important addition to the treatment that is required for special cases. This matter, as is well known, has received grave consideration at the hands of alt those having charge of lunatics, and has been carried out with the happiest results in nearly every large establishment at home and in the colonies, the administration of drugs being now supplementary to the amusement system. It is thoroughly understood that this system, which

provides mentel occupation of some kirn', as reading, singing, employment at tradeß, games, picnicp, or any means of that description that shall keep the patient from being pre-occupied by his own condition, has been eminently successful. The patients here have, we kuow, had an occasional treat given them, but it has been at distant intervals. We will not now discuss whether those having control of these institutions should or should not provide these hygienic measures, inetead of leaving it to extraneous aid. Suffice it to say that such is not done at present, but that need not prevent us from following tbe example of other communities, and doing what we can to soothe the fate of these unfortunates. The commodious asylum just erected is one of which the colony need not be ashamed, but it will not be complete unless furnished with the means of giving amusement to inmates. There is a spacious ball which can be used for concerts, but a harmonium is wanted, pictures for decoration and some books, but above all a fund that will enable the patients to get a drive in the country more frequently. Pictures or books, as we mentioned on a former occasion, will be gladly received at the old asylum. A method of raising funds for these institutions, which is often put in practice at home, is a fancy dress ball, and we are glad to ccc that a spirited move in this direction is being made here. A novelty is, however, to be introduced by the addition of a series of short dramatic and operatic scenes between the dances during the earlier* part of the evening, so as to afford the greatest possible amount of amusement to subscribers, whether inclined to jom in the dances or as spectators of the whole. We are given to understand that the cost of dress is very much lees for these affairs than we should have at first sight supposed, expensive material not being essential, the best effects being produced by cheaper articles of good contrasting color. The affair ia under the management of a gentleman of acknowledged skill in such matters, and when ,the object is borne in mind for which funds are wanted, we feel sure the undertaking will achieve the success that it deserve?. We understand also that arrangements for a dramatic entertainment are still in progress, and when matured, will be duly announced. The ball is to take place on the 22nd January,- and the prices of tickets will be, for gentlemen, 15s; for lady and gentleman, £1; for extra lady, 7s 6d. The New Zealand Times of Monday soys:— There are now some twenty or more ministers of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand in Wellington, and yesterday large congregations assembled in the churches of St. John and St. Andrew, both morning and avening, for the purpose of hearing the straogers who were announced to conduct the ministrations. The Rev. P. Calder preached in the forenoon at St. John's, taking for his text the sixth, seventh, and eighth verses of the 4th chapter of 2nd Timothy, A Sydney telegram by the Easby says :— "A portiQu of the Waratah pit at Newcastle ie burning. Tho fire was caused by a bush fire on Sunday ; all the air holes are stopped, and it is expected that the fire will be put out to-morrow." >» 'i.